April 21, 2025 
by M. Regina Cram
Our college kids were home on break. One brought her roommate, who lived too far to travel home. Our high school kids had classes during the day, but they all hung out together at night, making a ridiculous amount of noise. I loved it.
On Sunday morning, we went to Mass. We had to separate our oldest and youngest kids, ages 20 and 14, because they got laughing so hard during the homily that everyone else started giggling, too. We made the mandatory stop for donuts on the way home, arriving at the house just as more teenagers pulled into the driveway. They knew about the donuts.
Later in the day as the sun was setting, I did a quick head count for dinner and came up with nine people. Perfect.
Well, sort of. Truth be told, I forgot to count one of my kids. She wasn’t thrilled when she came to the table and found no place to sit, not to mention no food on her nonexistent plate. She thinks family dinners are dumb, anyway, so this didn’t help my case.
We sang grace, then passed around the food. The youngest kid carefully counted slices of garlic bread to be sure she got her fair share. She never does that with broccoli.
Someone posed a question. “Suppose you were given $2,500 to spend on yourself. What would you do with it?”
Discussion began immediately. Most of us had no trouble thinking of ways to spend the money. “I’d take that trip to Ireland I’ve always dreamed of,” said a college kid right away.
“I’d buy a really nice iPod – finally!” said the broccoli kid. “And lots and lots and lots of music, and a big spending spree at the mall! Oh, and a hot tub!”
“You can’t get all that for $2,500!” the others yelled.
“Yes, I can,” she insisted.
My husband said he’d build a soundproof room. I’m not sure if he wants to blast opera without bothering us, or block out the sounds of his family so he can finally get some quiet. Hey, whatever makes him happy.
Two kids remained silent for the longest time. It turns out that they couldn’t think of anything. “Um, well, I’d buy a skirt for school,” one finally began. “Oh, and a new toothbrush, and maybe some socks, and a chocolate bar.”
“Isn’t there anything big you want?” someone prodded in amazement.
“Well, I might buy a few CDs,” she added.
It was the same with the other kid. All she came up with was a pair of jeans, a baseball cap, and some bottled water for her dorm room. When pressed, she said she might splurge on an ice cream sundae.
Someone brought out chocolate chip cookies while others bickered about whose turn it was to do the dishes. Amid the commotion, the visiting roommate remarked to no one in particular, “I wish my family had dinner together like this.”
M. Regina Cram is a published author and parishioner of SS. Isidore and Maria Parish.
